Birds of Southern Kamerun. 49 



vestibule built down two or three inches from this hole, 

 growing smaller to the lower end, where the opening is not 

 more than 30-35 mm. in diameter, and this vestibule shews 

 traces of several selvedge edges at different heights, as if 

 the bird had more than once intended to " call the job done'' 

 and then afterwards added further material. 



The number of eggs found in a nest when the clutch seems 

 complete is two or three ; when a single egg is found it 

 would probably be followed by one or two more. The eggs 

 in a clutch of three measured 21-22x16 mm., but these 

 were shorter than my other specimens, which measured 

 23-24-5 by 155-17 mm. 



[The eight eggs vary in shape from a rather blunt to an 

 oblong oval, and are practically devoid of gloss. The ground- 

 colour varies from Avhite or creamy white to pale rufous, and 

 is sparingly marked all over with spots and dots of pale 

 brown, light red, or dull maroon-red, which are more 

 numerous towards the larger end, where they are often more 

 or less concentrated into a zone. — O.-G.] 



1421. Pyro-melaxa flammiceps. [Kuleso.] 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 343. 



I have seen this bird only in the region of the Ja, where 

 it is common, and at the breeding-season very conspicuous. 

 The males change from the plain to the breeding-plumage 

 in July. After that they are often seen, like great flaming 

 red flowers blossoming on the bushes and tall grass of v.aste 

 ground, for the remaining months of the year. I have seen 

 nests and eggs in September, October, and November. The 

 birds lose their gorgeous dress about January, and pass the 

 following months in plain sparrow-like plumage, males and 

 females looking alike. They go about then in small flocks 

 and attract little attention. 



In a recent article in 'The Ibis' (1908, p. 269) 

 Mr. Ogilvie-Grant reports a bird in Mr. Carruthers's col- 

 lection, obtained at Kasongo on the Upper Congo, as having 

 partially assumed the breeding-plumage ; the date was in 

 January. With this agrees the statement of Bohm quoted 



SER. IX. VOL. TIT. E 



